It’s often said that there’s no substitute for playing and Vanessa Beattie (formerly Surgeoner) is living proof of the old adage, having been forced to take a year out as she bids to recover from injury and line out for Pegasus once again.

Hot on the heels of Ireland’s World Cup silver medal success, the EY Hockey League hits the turf in the coming weeks with the women’s competition set to tip off on September 29 with the men’s league starting a week earlier.

Rainey Endowed lifted the Ulster Senior Schoolgirls’ Cup for the first time after a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout win over holders Banbridge Academy which followed a 1-1 draw after extra time at Stormont.

Rainey Endowed coach Carolyn Burns has already savoured one notable success along side her daughter Alex and the pair will be hoping to celebrate another today when holders Banbridge Academy provide the opposition in the Ulster Senior schoolgirls cup final at Stormont on Wednesday (2pm).